CHAPTER ONE

Hermione ran as fast as her feet could take her, through the winding alleys and back streets, past abandoned and trashed buildings and finally came to a stop when she reached the open streets of London. She lent over and rested her hands on her knees as her chest heaved in an attempt to get some air. As she tried to get her breath back, passing muggles whispered and started at her ripped robes and bloodied face. Regaining her breath and her speed, she paid no attention to the stares she received as she continued on down the street.

Her mind began to rap its self around the events that had just happened to her, and as she began to replay the events in her head, she burst into tears. How could she have let this happened? She should have known that just because Voldermort was dead, didn't mean the streets were safe again. She knew for a fact that small groups of death eaters still operated in the wizarding world, doing acts of unspeakable evil, under the name of Voldermort. And once the news came out that Snape was still alive, many death eaters vowed to kill him for betraying their lord. No one had seen him since the final battle at Hogwarts, the only details she had was that Harry went back to bury his body and found it missing. The only thing Harry would say was he knew Snape was alive. Harry gave no more details.

Hermione began to slow down as her bare feet began to hurt; her shoes had long been discarded back at Knockturn Alley. She searched the street for a few minutes before she found a public toilet. She walked into a stall and locked the door behind her.

She needed to clean herself up and get some rest, but she couldn't go back to the Weasley's house; they would ask too many questions. And as far as she knew, her parents had moved into a nice house just outside the city limits of Sydney, Australia. She only knew one place that was safe, and she hoped it would be empty.

She pulled her wand out of her robes and disapparated to the front steps of number twelve Grimmauld Place. A cold wind blew her robes furiously and made her eyes sting. She pulled the tattered remains of her robes around her in an attempt to keep herself warm. Keeping her wand out, Hermione tapped the door once and waited for the loud metallic clicks to stop, then placed her hand on the silver doorknob and slowly began to turn it. With a small push, the door opened with a creak and she walked into the house.

For a house that was supposed to be empty, it was very warm. As she walked further into the house she heard the crackling of a fire coming from the kitchen. Her heart beat faster as she approached the door to the kitchen. She slowly pushed it open to reveal an empty room. She let out the air she had been holding in with one big huff and walked to the sink. It had been silly to think that anyone would be here, the only life that occupied the house was Kreacher. Her mind was put at ease when she remembered that Kreacher was still living in the Black household.

"Kreacher!" she called. A pop sounded behind her and she spun to face the house elf.

"Yes Miss?" He asked in his frog like voice.

"Please run me a hot bath and make up a bed, I will be staying the night." The elf looked as if he had something to tell her, but she had no time for him.

"Now please." She waved him off and turned back to the sink. A loud pop sounded, signaling he had left.

She turned on the tap and used the water to wash the now dry blood from her face. The running water drowned out the sound of footsteps that came from the door. A tall dark figure lent against the doorframe and watched the young witch cover herself with water. Miss Granger was the last person Severus Snape had expected to see at 12 Grummauld Place, he hadn't expected to see anyone actually. This was the place he had been hiding since the battle and it took a lot of his family heirlooms to convince Kreacher to stay quiet.

Hermione turned off the water and dried her face with her robe. Noticing the rips in the fabric, she began to un button the robe.

Severus watched in silence from the door way as Hermione undid the last button and slid the robe off her shoulders. A sharp intake of breath came from her as the robe fell to her feet. Underneath her robe was nothing but her bra and panties. Severus averted his eyes for a moment, but returned them when he noticed the bruises that covered her back, as if she had been pushed hard against a wall. Severus' eyes then fell to her wrists and then to her thighs, which were also black and blue. His thoughts began to wander as he thought about what had happened to her.

He was ripped from his thoughts at the sound of crying. As he looked back to Hermione he found that she had seated herself on the floor and was cradling herself. Her sobs shook her body as she rocked herself back and forth. A pain crept into Severus' chest as he watched this fragile girl breakdown on the floor. He had to help her.

He slowly moved forward and cleared his throat.

"Miss Granger." Hermione jumped in shock then dashed for her wand. She turned herself around and pointed it at the man. Her eyes widened as she realized who it was.

"Professor S-Snape?" She stammered.

"Would you mind pointing that somewhere else?" His head nodded towards her wand. But his eyes never left her near naked body. She followed his gaze to her naked body and screeched in horror. She bent down and picked up the robe before using it as best she could to cover her curvy body.

"What are you doing here?" She asked out of breath.

"I should be asking you the same thing. I am here in hiding, and by the state you are in, I'm guessing you are to?" Hermione looked towards the floor as she wiped the tears from her swollen cheeks.

He took a step closer towards her.

"May I ask how you got those bruises?

"What bruises?" She lied.

"Miss Granger, I taught you for six years, do not attempt to lie to me." If her face wasn't so red from crying, Severus would have sworn he saw her blush.

"I was mucking around with Ron and Harry in the backyard. The wrestling got a little ruff." She turned her head away from him and stared into the fire.

"And you expect me to believe that?" Hermione's head snapped back towards Snape. She was just about to retort when he held up his hand to silence her.

"That type of friendly ruff housing would not cause those kinds of bruises. By the location of the bruises and the fact that you were only wearing a bra and pants under your robes, I can only conclude that you have been attacked."

That did it; Hermione burst into tears and fell to the floor. Her wails attracted the attention of Kreacher who appeared in the kitchen at that moment.

"Kreacher hears crying, is Miss ok?" Snape stood in front of Hermione so Kreacher couldn't see her on the floor in that state.

"Yes Kreacher, Everything is fine. Go run a hot bath for Miss Granger." Kreacher nodded.

"Miss already asked Kreacher. Bath is finished." Snape nodded and sent the elf on his way.

Severus turned and walked to Hermione. Carefully he picked her up off the ground and held her tightly against his chest. Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her head in his robs. He carried her upstairs and into the bathroom. He gently placed her feet on the floor.

"Get cleaned up Miss Granger, and then I can perform the necessary healing spells." She nodded and closed the door. Snape retreated to the bed and collapsed on the soft mattress.